Sputum-cup and holder or container therefor.



PATENTED PEB. 28, 1905. G. W. MEINEGKE an D. HQGAN.

SPUTUM CUP AND HGLDER 0R CONTAINER THEREFOR.

APPLIOATION FILED MAR. 28, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

No. 783,971. PATENTED P13528, 1905. G. W. MBINECKE a D. HOGAN. SPTUM CUP AND HOLDER OR OONTAINERTHEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28, 1904.

3 SHBETSwSEEET 2.

No. 783,971. PATENTED FEB. 28, 1905 W. MEINECKE & D. HOGAN.

SPUTUM CUP AND HOLDER 0R GGNTAINER THEREFOR.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 28, 1904.

3 SHEETS--SHEET 3A @Dfw u ,Sres

PrnNr CHRISTIAN i/V M. MEINEOKE. OF JERSEY OlrlY, AND DANIEL HOGAN, OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNORS TO MEINEOKE et OO., Oli NEW YORK, N. Y, A CORPORATION OF NEV .l EHSEY.

SPUTUlVi-CUF AND HOLDER OR CCDNTAINIEH THEHEIFUW.

SPECIFCATON forming part of Letters Patent No. 783,971, dated February 28, 1905.

Application died March 28, 1904. Serial No. 200,479.

Bc it known that we, CHRISTIAN XVM. M nlN- nckn, residing at Jersey Oity, and DANIEL HOGAN, residing' at Hoboken, in the county of Hudson, State of New Jersey, both citizens of the United States, have invented new and useful .improvements in Sputum-Oups and llolders or Containers '.lherefor, of which the :following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in sputum-cups, and has for its object to provide a cup of this character of waterproof paper and possessing' a novel and economical construction, a cup which is leak-proof and I5 has no obstruction of the opening thereinto or to inspection of the contents by a physician.

The invention has for its further object to provide a sputum-cup of the character described in combination with a holder or con- 2O tainer therefor, the cup being provided with an overhanging exterior flange which constitutes a pocket to receive the upper edge o'i' the holder or container and prevents entrance of matter into the container between the walls 2 5 of said container and the walls of the sputumcup.

ln hospitals or sanitariums for the treatment of patients suiering withconsumption the need is Vfelt for a sputum-cup which will 50 be, lirst, exceedingly economical, so that it may be destroyed after use; second, that it shall be sanitary; third, that it shall be waterproof, or, in other words, leak-proof; fourth, that it shall have no obstruction to the free entry of sputum and easy inspection of the contents by a physician. All of these require' ments are V[illed by sputum-cups constructed according to our invention. lt is also a matter of very great convenience and, in fact, of

40 necessity that patients shall have a sputumcup which can be conveniently carried about the person,as in a pocket of the clothing, possessing' the attributes above referred to.

in hospitals and sanitariums, where the sputum-cups are not carried on the person, it is desirable oftentimes to arrange the same in a holder or container, and when this is done that i possibility oit' entrance of any mattei' between the walls of the cup and the walls of the container shall be guarded against, and that the cup may be removed 'from the container easily by the patient or attendant sauitarily. These considerations are also filled in sputumcups constructed according to our inventioll.

Having the objects hereinbefore set forth, our invention consists in a sputum-cup as hereinafter described and claimed, reference being' made te the accompanying drawings, in which*- Eigure 1 is a plan view of the blank from 60 which our improved sputum-cups are constructed. Fig. 2 is a persiiective view showing a sputum-cup constructed according to our invention complete with the exception of the linal locking thereof into permanent form. 0S Fig. 23 is a sectional view taken en the line 2 2 ot' Fig. Q---tl1at is to say, through that end of the wall oi the cup which is fully completed-and showingin dotted lines the locking-tongijie before it has assumed its locking position and in 'full lines showing the `said tongue in locking position. Eig. t is a pel'- spectivc View of a completed sputum-cu p and a holder or container therefor, the cup beii'ig partially inserted in said holder or container. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the cup and holder or container, the cup being arranged in said holder or container. Fig. 6 is a ifierspective view of a ditlerent form of cup partially completed and illustrating a modification of fold 8O essential when this form of cup is constructed. Fig. 7 is an enlarged view showing' adetail involved in the construction of the cup illustrated in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional View of a modified form of sputum-cup and a 35 cover therefor. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the cup arranged in connection with a different form of holder or container. Fig. Al() is a view of the cup collapsed upon itself.

Y Vln said drawings, and referring particularly 9o to Fig. l thereof, the referencenumeral l designates a blank ofw waterproof paper, such as parallined or waxed paper, of which the cup is constructed. This blank, as shown, has a center portion Q, that constitutes the bottom of the completed cup, which bottom is defined by creased lines 2n. The blank has wings 3 radiating from the central part Q thereof and constituting the walls of the cup, which wings are provided with creased lines 3 to define the line of fold to bring the blank into a substantially rectangular cup shape, those portions of the wings between adjacent fold-lines 3 being folded upon themselves along the creased lines l to form darts 5,which constitute fiaps that are folded against the side walls of the cup and are held by means of the hereinafter-described interlocking` ends, as best shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. At diametrically opposite edges of the blank are reinforce extensions 6, defined by creased lines 6 and 6b. Preferably these reinforce extensions have a double fold, first along the creased line 6h and then in addition along the creased line 6, so as to provide in the completed cup and, as illustrated in Figs. Q and 3 of the drawings particularly, a double reinforce flange 7, which when the lockingtongues are engaged therewith, as hereinafter described, constitutes an endless reinforcingflange around the top edge of the cup; but our invention is not restricted to the doublefold idea, although that is preferable. As shown in all of the drawings except Fig. 8 this reinforce-flange 7 is disposed upon the exterior of the cup, for the purpose hereinafter described, and in Fig. 8 upon the interior of the cup, as will be referred to. The overhanging flanges of the flaps 5, as best shown in Fig. 2, are interlocked, the edge of the one being' passed under the overhanging flange 7 of the other, whereby the form of the cup is primarily maintained, for, it will be observed upon reference to Fig. 2, that the form of the cup cannot be altered or destroyed by the walls falling away from each other, because in such falling away of the walls the points 5 of the fiaps would have to move in arcs of circles, and the interlocking of said fiaps, as described and shown, prevents this and avoids the accidental falling away of the walls of the cup. At diametrically opposite edges of the blank are provided locking-tongues 8, which may be provided with creased fold-lines 8u and 8b. Then the blank has been folded to the extent hercinbefore described, one of the locking-tongues 8 is in the position illustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the locking-tongue at the opposite wall of the cup being illustrated as having' assumed its locking position. lhe locking-tongue (shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings in position to be folded about and into engagement to further lock the interlocked ends of the reinforce-Harige) is first folded along the line 8 in front of the interlocked ends of the reinforce-flange, and the free end of the locking-tongue is passed up behind the said interlocked ends of the reinforce-flange, being folded along the line 8b, as clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. In

this manner is provided a waterproof paper sputum-cup simple of manufacture and exceedingly economical; yet at the same time it is an eflicient article for the purposes intended, possessing the characteristic of sanitariness and substantial durability of form. The opening into the cup is unobstructeda consideration of great importance in respect of cleanliness, free or easy entrance of the sputum, and facility of inspection of the contents by a physician. The cup as thus constructed may be used in and of itself as a complete article and after use may be burned in a furnace, as is desirable in case of such articles. It may be, however, and preferably is, when used in a hospital or sanitarium or sick-room combined with a rigid holder or container of metal or other suitable material, as illustrated in Figs. L and 5 of the drawings, wherein the referencenumeral 9 designates the holder or container. This holder or container may be of any suitable form or shape, and preferably the top edge of the holder or container will be provided with guide extensions 9 to facilitate the entrance of the edge of the holder or container beneath the reinforce-flange of the sputumcup, as shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. The holder can be of various forms-as, for example, rectangular or four-sided, as shown in Fig. ,4, or of polygonal or cylindrical or mixed form-as the flexible or paper cup and flange will conform to the shape of the holder. In Fig. 9 is shown a holder with cylindrical mouth or top and flat-sided body. When the cup is used in connection with a cylindricalmouthed holder or container, such as shown in Fig. 9, or a polygonal or other such shaped mouth, the pliable paper cup will assume the shape of the holder. For instance, if an ordinarydrinking-glass, goblet, or tin drinkingcup should be used for a holder the paper cup could be inserted thercinto as well as into a rectangular holder Then the sputum-cup is to be used in connection with a holder or container, the reinforced liange is disposed exteriorly of the walls of the cup, as shown, so that the edge of the holder or containercan pass up between said flange and the walls of the cup, whereby the edge of the holder or container is inclosed and concealed by said flange, thus rendering it impossible for any matter to find its way into the holder or container between the walls thereof and the walls of the cup. rlhis is a very desirable feature in the interest of sanitariness and cleanliness.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings is shown a sputumcup constructed of the same manner of blank illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings, differing ICO IIO

from the sputum-cups of the remaining figures of the drawings only in that the flaps 5 and the reinforce-fiange are folded interiorly of the walls of the cup instead of exteriorly thereof, the side. flaps being interlocked to- 'maori gether and further locked by means of the locking-.tongues in the manner hereinbefore set forth.

To provide a sputum-cup of perhaps a more suitable character to be carried about the person of a patient.l as in a pocket, the form thereof is modified, being' made relatively narrow as compared with length or depth. Such a form of sputum-cup is illustrated in Fig. (i of the drawings. This is made up of the blank illustrated in Fig. l of the drawings, the fold of the flaps being modilied only in the 1' articular that the ends 5" thereof (see Fig. 6) are folded in against the body of the flaps along' the Vlines 5c (see Fig. 7 of the drawings) into the position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings to take up the surplus leng'th of the flaps incident to a cup of this narrow form, and to enable the folds to be interlocked the one with the other slits 5 are provided in the blank, which slits are in alinement with the line of the fold of the ends 5l of the flaps, as shown in Fig. 7, so that when the liaps are folded against the walls of the cup one flap may be passed beneath the reinforceflange of the other ilap into interlocking' engagement, passing' into or through the slit 5d, as will be apparent from an inspection of Fig. of the drawings. Utlierwise this form of cup illustrated in Fig'. 6 is the same or constructed in the same manner as the vcup illustrated in Figs. 2 and et, for example. Obviously it may be constructed like the cup shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings, the only difference being that instead of the flaps being folded outside the walls of the cup they will be folded inside thereof, as hereinbefore explained with reference vto Fig. 8. /Vhere the sputumcup illustrated in Fig'. 6 is carried in the pocket, should it by accident be crushed this will not be material, as the walls of the cup have no seams, and therefore the possibility of leakage is prevented.

it is desirable in many instances that the cup be provided with a cover, and where this is desired the cover l() may consist of waterproof paper of a blank similar to that of which the cup itself is made, except differently proportioned, but folded in the same manner and having the same manner of reinforce-flange, as clearly shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings.

When the cup is used in connection with a holder or container, as in Figs. t and 5 and 9 of the drawings, the overhanging exterior reinforcefiange, hereinbefore referred to, in addition to the useful purposes described serves also as a. convenient grasp by which the attendant may with cleanliness remove the cup from the holder or container.

' lhe cup may be arranged to be accurately collapsed upon itself, as shown in Fig. l0, for

convenience of use-as in a garmentpoeket, for instanee-'orfor convenience in packing', carrying, or shipping'. l/V hen this is found desirable, additional creased lines w51/ e' may be provided in the blank, as shown in Fig'. l,

to indicate and facilitate the fold-line for collapsing the cup.

For sanitary reasons and for reasons of health and to prevent contagion sputum-cups lshould be destroyed after once being used by being' burned in a furnace or otherwise, and since a large number of these cups are demanded. as they should be used for a day only, it is of the utmost consideration that they be of economical construction. The cups must, furthermore, be leak-proof or waterproof and have sufficient stability to maintain their form. For sanitary reasons there should also be no obstruction of the opening into the cup, and this openness is also of value, in that it exposes the contents of the cup to the ready inspection of a physician, as well as allows easy entrance of the sputum. Jlill of these essential and desirable features are present in cups constructed according to our invention.

The blanks shown and. provided with the described. creases to direct and indicate the manner of folding maybe nested together for convenience and economy of space in shipment or storage, or they may be collapsed, as shown in Fig. l0, for this purpose, or the blanks may be manufactured and shipped in the flat to hospitals or other places of use and there conveniently folded into the con1- pleted article.

The use of the device is of course not confined to consum ptives, as it can be used in other eases-as, for example, in cases of severe catarrh, bronchial troubles, and the like. Neither is the use of the invention confined to hospitals or sick-rooms, as such articles can be used in offices, sleeping-cars, aboard ship, and other places.

Having thus fully described our invention, what we claim is- 1. As a new article of manufacture, a sputum-cup constructed of waterproof paper or the like folded into shape and provided at its upper edge with a flange, the ends of which are interlocked for the purpose of maintainii'ig the form of the cup,and locking-tongues :folded about the interlocked ends of said flange, sub stantiall, Y as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture, a sputum-cpp consisting of a holder, and a waterproof paper or like receptacle, folded into shape and provided at its upper edge with a flange, the ends of which are interloeked for the purpose of maintaining' the form of the cup, loeking-tongues folded about the interlocked ends of said flange, the said receptacle being arranged within said holder with the upper edge of said holder arranged in the pocket formed by the flange of said receptacle.

3. As a new article ofnianufacture, a sputum-cup constructed of waterproof paper or the like folded into shape, provided with a flange extending around its upper edge, said flange havingl'laps the ends of which are folded upon themselves and interlocked, a slit in o ne IOO TIO

flap being provided for the interlocking en` gagernent of the other flap, substantially as described.

41.. As a new article of manufacture, a sputurn-cup consisting of a holder, and a receptacle constructed of waterproof paper or the like folded into shape and provided with a flange extending around its upper edge, said iiange having flaps the ends of which are folded upon themselves and interlocked, a slit in one and tucked under the interlocked edges of the flange, substantially as described.

6. A blank fora sputum-cup having' bottoni and side portions, diametrically opposite extensions adapted to be folded to forniaange extending about the upper edge of the cup and the ends of which are adapted to be interlocked with each other, said blank and the flange portion thereof being provided with slits to permit one endof saidiia-nge to be passed under and interlocked with the other end, said blank provided With diametrically opposite extensions constituting locking tongues adapted to be folded about and tucked under the interlocked ends of the fla-nge, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

CHRISTIAN WM. MEINECKE. DANIEL HOGAN. i IVitnesses:

IV. C. HAUFF, CHAs. E. POENSGEN. 

